Zebra Ministries: Faithful

Friday, December 2, 2011

Faithful

1 Corinthians 1:9 (NIV)

God, who has called you into fellowship with His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.

Good morning Zebras,

My favorite part of a herd meeting is the sharing. After a whole month of praying about and watching for an attribute of God in our lives we get together and share what we have learned. It’s very encouraging hearing woman after woman testify to what God has done in her life that month.

Doing this for the last three years has exponentially increased my knowledge of God and consequently my faith, so when Anita gave me the attribute ornaments I shared about yesterday, she knew I would love them.

Originally I had planned to take the month of December off, but after I finished writing yesterday’s z-mail God gave me a different plan. Each day I am going to write about the attribute ball that we put on our tree the night before. Just like at a herd meeting I am going to share how I have seen God work in that area of my life and hopefully you will want to join in. But even if you can’t I’ll pray you will be encouraged as I spend this month focused on the attributes of our amazing God.

Last night I cheated. I think I was supposed to pull an ornament at random from the box, but I’ve been so blown away by God’s faithfulness that I had to start there.

Three years ago I took a leave of absence from work to pursue ministry. At the time I felt like I was a crazy person but I knew God was calling me to quit working for money and start working for Him. In May I quit for good and over these last three years I have watched God faithfully provide everything my family has needed and more.

First and foremost, He has provided a job for Gary. There have been a few bumps in the road, but God was always faithful. The bills got paid and we had plenty of food. But He didn’t stop there. He has given us things that we just wanted as well

Gary, my husband, likes cars. And we have always had “nice” cars, nothing flashy but good practical dependable cars. But I know my husband, and I knew that there was a car longing inside of him that had not been satisfied. So when he let me quit work I knew he was also giving up his car. God knew that too and six months ago he gave Gary a job that came with a brand new Flex. I am almost embarrassed to drive around in it because it is so nice, but I keep reminding myself it came from God for FREEEE.

I have wanted new windows in our house for a long time. But without my income there was no way we were ever getting them, and to be honest even with my income it would have been a stretch. But we have new windows now because God provided them through my mother-in-law who graciously offered to pay to have our windows replaced.

Then yesterday my sister called. She was shopping and she wanted to know if I needed anything. I can’t really go into details because I don’t want to ruin the surprise for my husband, but I started crying when I was talking to her because I knew although the present was coming from my sister, the idea had come from God.

Worrying used to be a full-time occupation. I grew up with very little money and because of it I’ve always worried about it. But God promises in Matthew 6 that if we will seek first His kingdom and His righteousness He will provide everything we need.

And I have found God is faithful to keep His promises.

Love,

Jill

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Why Zebras?

In the summer of 2008 I was looking at a herd of zebras in a wild animal park and commented to my son that I didn’t understand why the lions didn’t just eat the zebras because their markings make them so obvious. He told me that the opposite was actually true. God has marked zebras so when they hang together in a herd, their stripes create the illusion they are one large animal and therefore too big to attack. It is the lone zebra that is usually eaten. The same is true of Christians; we must hang together and encourage each other to fight off the lions. The lone Christian is easy prey.

1 Peter 5:8
Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

Therefore:

Zebras was started to encourage women who desire to follow the Lord Jesus Christ, who want their lives to be transformed to honor God and who are willing to be “zebras” in a world of “horses”. Zebras exists to reassure you that you are not alone and that God has called you to be peculiar. As a peculiar person you should look different than the world

Romans 12:2
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Pastor Endorsement

Jill Getchell speaks from her heart and from God’s word in a way that brings encouragement and hope to God’s people. I’ve been blessed to hear her at Awana conferences, a women’s retreat, and from the pulpit of our church. I am confident your people will be equally blessed by spending the day with Jill at We Have Hope...your church will be blessed as well.

Pastor Al Marks

First Baptist Church Vallejo

I have known Jill for many years now. She truly desires to encourage the churches in our community and to strengthen the believers that attend our churches. Her passion for Jesus comes out in her ability to speak, and her heart is to encourage all those that attend to go back into their churches and be a blessing.

Pastor Kelly Patchin

New Harbor Community Church, Benicia

I believe women are vital to the unity and health of the church. They bear the image of God and serve Him in a great way within His church. Zebras has the ability to unite and excite women to grow in their faith and in their relationships with each other. In John 17:20 Jesus says, "My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” One of Christ’s last prayers for His church is that they would be one as He is with the Father. And through our unity the world can come to believe in Jesus Christ for salvation. Unity is essential for a healthy church and healthy relationships between women. Zebras can stimulate healthy growth in the spiritual lives of the women in your church too. It is a blessing at New Harbor and I believe it would be a blessing for any pastor to have in their church.

Kelly Patchin, Pastor
New Harbor Community Church

Testimonies

The Zebra herd has given me the opportunity to be myself. I think we all have a face we put on for others, especially on Sunday. We don’t want to let anyone see the pain or hurt we’re suffering because we feel that it’s a reflection on our walk with Christ. I now have a group of loving Christian women with whom to share the joys and sorrows equally… Without the Zebras, I’d still be wearing my Sunday face. ...............Dawn C.

The Zebra ministry has deepened my relationship with Christ and the women at my church beyond what I thought possible... Most importantly, it has given me a safe place to be very, very real… I have learned how to be transparent and allow my fellow Zebra sisters to support me in prayer and God to minister to the deepest part of my soul--the part that needed it the most.................... Jennifer H.

When I came to New Harbor Church I was so lonely. I knew I needed the fellowship of other Christian women but did not know if I could break out of my self-imposed isolation. I felt unworthy of anyone’s friendship, let alone" godly people"... But Zebras has made me feel the true acceptance of these wonderful women. I have slowly opened my heart to them, with their encouragement and love! I don't have that heavy ache of solitude anymore. ................Barbara B.

I was with you in the beginning meetings of the herd and watched it evolve into a place where we as sisters in Christ could share our burdens without judgment. Being a Zebra helped me through a very trying time- Leap of Faith– leaving a relationship, selling my home and trusting in God. It was encouraging to know that I was not alone and being a part of a group where women could feel understood, comforted, and lifted up spiritually. .................Tracy M.

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